Wrapping apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for wrapping a unit to be wrapped in which the unit is elevated through an opening in a table structure with a sheet of wrapping material on its top face, portions of the sheet folding downwardly on rearward and forward sides of the unit as it is so elevated, followed by moving the unit rearwardly over the table structure to effect folding of the rearward portion of the sheet under the bottom face of the unit, and then moving the unit forwardly over the table structure to effect folding of the forward portion of the sheet under the bottom face of the unit, said portions overlapping on the bottom face of the unit and being sealed together at the overlap. The unit may be compressed to reduce its height in conjunction with its being elevated, the compression being maintained throughout the rearward and forward movement and until the sheet is sealed.

United States Patent [191 Gordon Jan. 21, 1975 [73] Assignee: I-Iayssen Manufacturing Co.,

Sheboygen, Wis.

22] Filed: May 4,1973

21 Appl. No.: 357,363

[52] US. Cl 53/230, 53/124 A [51] Int. Cl B65b 11/22 [58] Field of Search 53/24, 32, 33, 124 R, 124 A, 53/124 CC, 124 TS, 198 R, 220, 223, 222,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,749,548 3/1930 Schlosser 53/234 1,816,085 7/1931 Langhammer i 53/32 1,873,060 8/1932 Smith 53/230 2,146,997 2/1939 Smith 53/230 3,006,119 10/1961 Fingerhut.... 53/230 X 3,019,580 2/1962 Asbury 53/230 3,600,875 8/1971 Buob 53/33 X 3,605,380 9/1971 Dille 53/230 X 3,683,586 8/1972 Duchinsky.. 53/228 3,729,886 5/1973 Lucas 53/24 3,771,280 Bechle 53/378 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,065,998 4/1967 Great Britain 53/230 Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner-John Sipos Attorney, Agent, or Firml(oenig, Senniger, Powers and Leavitt [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for wrapping a unit to be wrapped in which the unit is elevated through an opening in a table structure with a sheet of wrapping material on its top face, portions of the sheet folding downwardly on rearward and forward sides of the unit as it is so elevated, followed by moving the unit rearwardly over the table structure to effect folding of the rearward portion of the sheet under the bottom face of the unit, and then moving the unit forwardly over the table structure to effect folding of the forward portion of the sheet under the bottom face of the unit, said portions overlapping on the bottom face of the unit and being sealed together at the overlap. The unit may be compressed to reduce its height in conjunction with its being elevated, the compression being maintained throughout the rearward and forward movement and until the sheet is sealed.

10 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED 3,861.120

sum 10F s WRAPPING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for wrapping units to be enwrapped, and more particularly to such apparatus for wrapping units which generally have six rectangular sides.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of an improved apparatus for wrapping units' which generally have six rectangular sides; the provision of and apparatus for wrapping such units which effects a relatively tight wrap of a sheet of wrapping material around the top, two opposite sides and the bottom of a unit and seals together overlapping margins of the sheet on the bottom of the unit; and the provision of such apparatus for effecting compression packaging of a compressible unit (such as a stack of paper napkins), with the wrapper when sealed holding the unit compressed.

In general, apparatus of this invention for wrapping units to be wrapped comprises fixed rearward and forward table members having an opening therebetween and an elevator movable from a lowered position below the table members to a raised position generally flush with the table members. The elevator is adapted to move a unit upwardly through the opening with a sheet of wrapping material on top of the unit, the sheet being larger than the top of the unit and having rearward and forward portions extending beyond the unit a sufficient distance for folding of said portions around the rearward and forward sides of the unit and around the bottom of the unit. These portions become folded around the rearward and forward sides of the unit with extensions of said portions projecting beyond the bottom of the unit. The apparatus further comprises means operable with the elevator in its raised position for moving the unit and the sheet first rearwardly over the elevator and over the fixed rearward table member to fold the extension of the rearward portion of the sheet underneath the bottom of the unit, and then forwardly back over said elevator and over the fixed forward member to fold the extension of the forward portion of the sheet underneath the bottom of the unit.

Other objects and features will be in part and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of apparatus of this invention, parts being broken away;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are views similar to FIG. 1 showing moved positions of parts;

FIG. 5 is a view in elevation, with parts broken away and shown in section, of a carriage of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevation of the carriage, with parts broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal section on line 7 -7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view taken generally on line 8-8 of FIG. 3 showing a moved position of parts;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing a further moved position of parts;

FIG. 10 is a plan of a unit with a sheet wrapped around it in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section showing a spot sealer of the apparatus; and

apparent FIG. 12 is a horizontal section showing the end folding of the sheet on the ends of the unit.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, there is generally indicated at l a unit to be wrapped in accordance with this invention, the unit 1 being shown as one having six rectangular sides (such as a stack of paper napkins). It will be understood, however, that the invention is generally applicable to units of various configurations, to units comprising a stack of items other than paper napkins, to units each consisting of a single item, or units comprising a set of items (e.g., a set of six containers or packages) arranged otherwise than in a stack. The unit 1 is indicated as having a top face 3, a bottom face 5, and two opposite sides 7 and 9 which may be hereinafter referred to as its rearward and forward sides. Its other two sides (of the six) are referred to as its ends, each being designated 11.

In accordance with this invention, the unit 1 is moved upwardly by means indicated generally at 13 through an opening 15 between a fixed rearward table member 17 and a fixed forward table member 19 with a sheet S of wrapping material on the top face 3 of the unit (i.e., the face of the unit toward the opening). Sheet S may be a sheet of heat-scalable plastic film, for example (such as polyethylene) or a sheet of paper having a thermoplastic adhesive thereon. It is larger all around than the top face 3 of the unit 1, having rearward and forward portions S1 and S2 extending beyond the unit a sufficient distance for downward folding of said portions around the rearward and forward sides 7 and 9 of the unit 1 as shown in FIG. 2 with downward extensions S3 and S4 of portions S1 and S2 projecting beyond the bottom face 5 of the unit. The sheet is dimensioned and so positioned on top of the unit 1 for overlapping of these extensions S3 and S4 (at their margins) as indicated at 21 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) when they are ultimately folded under on the bottom face 5 of the unit, as will appear.

The means 13 for moving the unit 1 up through the I opening 15 is constituted by an elevator comprising a rectangular plate 23 on the upper end of an elevator bar 25 (only part of which appears in FIGS. 1-4). The vertical movement of the elevator bar is accomplished with a cam and lever arrangement suitably mounted. The elevator bar 25 is carried by suitable framework of l the apparatus, which also carries the fixed rearward apart to provide the opening 15. Extending down-v wardly from the edges of the table plates 17 and 19 at the opening 15 are rearward and forward vertical plates 29 and 31 having curved flaring lower ends as indicated at 33. These vertical plates are horizontally spaced a distance slightly greater than the rearward to forward dimension of the elevator plate 23, and the latter is positioned to rise upwardly between the plates 29 and 31 with a slight clearance therebetween. FIG. 1 shows the elevator plate 23 in a lowered retracted position, wherein it is below the lower edges of the vertical plates 29 and 31 and within a set of unit positioning guides comprising rearward and forward side guides 35 and 37 and an end guide 39. A unit to be wrapped is delivered onto the elevator plate 23 in its retracted position by a suitable delivery conveyor (not shown) and positioned on the plate by its entry between the side guides 33 and 35 and against the end guide 39. The sheet S for enwrapping the unit is cut off from a supply roll of the sheet material and fed into position above the unit 1 (as indicated in FIG. 1) by suitable known means (not shown) such as disclosed, for example, in the coassigned U.S. Pat. No. 3,728,92l issued Apr. 24, 1973.

The elevator plate 23 is raised from its lowered retracted position to elevate the unit 1 with the sheet S on top between the vertical plates 29 and 31 through the opening 15 to the point where the top surface of the elevator plate is generally flush with the top surfaces of the fixed rearward and forward table members 17 and 19. As it is so raised, the vertical plates 29 and 31 effect downward folding of portions S1 and S2 of the sheet as shown in FIG. 2 to extend downwardly on the rearward and forward sides 3 and 5 of the unit (between these sides of the unit and the plates 29 and 31). As the unit 1 is moved upwardly, the sheet S on top of the unit engages a gripping member 41 above the opening and is thereby gripped on top of the unit. Also, as herein illustrated, the unit is a compressible unit, such as a stack of paper napkins, and is compressed upwardly against the gripping member to reduce the height of the unit as it is moved upwardly through the opening 15. By way of example only, the unit 1 may be a stack of paper napkins each 6V2 inches square, the uncompressed stack being about four and one-half inches high, and compressed to a final height of about three inches. In such case, the sheet S may measure 20 by inches, the twenty-inch dimension being in the rearward to forward direction of the unit.

The gripping member 41 is constituted by a platen carried by a carriage 43 which is reciprocable above the elevator in a linear horizontal path. The platen is horizontally reciprocable with the carriage and carried by means indicated generally at 45 for vertical movement relative to the carriage. The carriage comprises a pair of spaced side bars 47 (being reciprocable in the direction of length of these bars),mounted for reciprocation in suitable frame structure indicated generally at 49 via rollers 51 (see FIG. 5) at one end of the carriage riding in horizontal tracks 53 and a slide block 55 adjacent the other end of the carriage slidable on a horizontal guide rod 57. Mechanism for reciprocating the carriage, indicated generally at 59, is shown to comprise a cam 61 on a camshaft 63 actuating a follower lever 65 pivoted at 67 on the frame of the apparatus and connected to the carriage by a link 69. The cam is developed to actuate the carriage through a cycle in which the carriage dwells for an interval in an intermediate or home" position, then moves rearward, i.e., toward the left as viewed in FIGS. 1-5, then forward toward the right through the home position to a position to the right of the home position, referred to as the sealing position, with a dwell for an interval in the sealing position, then back to the home position.

The elevator plate 23 may generally have the same dimensions as a unit to be wrapped (e.g., 6 /2 X 6 /2inches for 6% X 6 /2 paper napkins). It is movable upwardly by means of the elevator bar 25 from the lowered retracted position in which it appears in FIG. 1 through a working stroke first to raise the unit into engagement with the lower face of the platen 41 and then,

continuing its upward movement, to compress the unit upwardly against the platen. The unit passes through opening 15 as it is raised into engagement with the platen. As previously noted, the rearward to forward dimension of this opening (from left to right as viewed in FIGS. 1-4) is slightly greater than the corresponding dimension of the unit and the elevator plate 23. The dimension of opening 15 at right angles to the plane of FIGS. 1-4 is at least sufficient for the endwise dimension of the sheet S (e.g., I094 inches as above noted), and may be of any length greater than this.

The platen 41 is vertically movable between the lowered working position in which it appears in FIGS. I-3 and the raised retracted position in which it appears in FIG. 4, being in vertical alignment with the elevator plate 23 in each of thesepositions. In its lowered position, it is spaced above the plane of the top surface of the table members 17 and 19 a distance corresponding generally to the final compressed height of the unit 1. Thus, as the elevator plate 23 with a unit 1 thereon is moved upwardly to the level where its upper face is generally flush with the table structure, the unit is compressed against the platen 41 to the desired final compressed height for the unit. Means for supporting and moving the platen 41 is shown to comprise a vertical air cylinder 71 (of quite short stroke) having a piston rod 73 extending down from piston 75 therein through its lower end head 77 adjustably threaded in a tapped hole in a block 79 between the carriage side bars 47. The piston is fixed in its adjusted position and the cylinder is vertically movable. The platen 41 is secured to the lower ends of a pair of guide rods 81 which are fixed to and extend down from the lower end head 77 of the cylinder 71 through vertical holes 83 in the block, the rods having a sliding fit in these holes. The platen 41 is vertically movable relative to the carriage 43 by means of the cylinder 71 between a lowered working position (FIGS. 1-3) and a raised retracted position (FIG. 4). It has means constituted by a pusher 85 at its forward edge for pushing a unit 1 rearwardly when the carriage 43 moves rearwardly from its home position.

The carriage 43 carries a pusher 87 rearward of the gripping means on platen 41 for pushing a unit 1 forward when the carriage moves forward from its rearward position. It also has a pusher 89 forward of the platen 41 carried for vertical movement relative to the carriage which is operable when in a lowered position to push a unit which has been sealed forward away from the sealing position as a unit to be sealed is pushed by pusher 87 to the sealing position, as will appear. Pusher 89 is vertically movable relative to the carriage by means of an air cylinder 91 mounted in vertical position on the carriage having a piston rod 93 extending down from the piston (not shown) therein with the pusher 89 on the lower end of the piston rod.

The sheet S is dimensioned (and so positioned) as to have end portions extending laterally outwardly beyond the ends 11 of the unit 1 on the elevator plate 23, and means is provided for folding these end portions upon the ends 11 of the unit as the unit is moved forward by the carriage. This means includes a pair of rearward folding bars 95 for folding rearward end portions S5 of the sheet S upon the ends of the unit, and a pair of forward folding bars 97 for folding forward end portions S6 of the sheet S upon the ends of the unit. Bars 95 are movable forward (via a suitable drive from the camshaft 63) as the carriage 43 moves a unit forward. Bars 97 are secured to the fixed forward table member 19.

Operation of the carriage 43 is timed so that, after a unit 1 has been raised by the elevator to the position shown in FIG. 2, which may be referred to as its intermediate position, the carriage moves rearwardly, thereby moving the unit 1 rearwardly (via the pusher 85 on platen 41) over the fixed rearward table member 17, to a rearward position such as illustrated in FIG. 3. This effects folding of the extension S3 under the bottom 5 of the unit. Then the carriage moves forwardly, thereby moving the unit 1 forwardly (via the pusher 87) back through its stated intermediate position and to its sealing position of FIG. 4 on the fixed forward table member 19 (to the right of opening This effects folding of the extension S4 under the bottom 5 of the unit and the overlapping of S4 and S3 at 21. In the sealing position of the unit, the overlap is in register with a transversely extending series of holes 99 in the forward table member 19. Means is provided for sealing the overlap via these holes, comprising a series of spot sealing members 101 on a frame 103 pivoted at 105 and movable by an air cylinder 107 for moving the members 101 up through the holes to apply heat and pressure to the overlap (the members 101 having suitable heating means therefor).

As noted above, after the unit 1 has been delivered to the elevator plate 23, it is elevated between the plates 29 and 31 with the sheet S on top of the unit through the opening 15 to the point of engagement with the platen 41 (held down in its lowered working position of FIGS. 1 and 2). Continued lift of plate 23 to its FIG. 2 position flush with table members 17 and 19 effects compression of the unit 1. While the description here involves compression of the unit, it is to be understood that the invention may involve upward movement of the unit 1 and sheet S into gripping engagement with platen 41 without any substantial compression of the unit, the elevation of the platen 1 in its lowered working position above table members 17 and 19 then being made just slightly less than the uncompressed height of the unit for gripping of the sheet without substantial compression. As the unit is elevated, it lifts the sheet S, and the rearward and forward portions S1 and S2 of the sheet are folded downwardly by plates 29 and 31 on the rearward and forward sides 7 and 9 of the unit 1 as shown in FIG. 2, wherein the unit is illustrated in its stated intermediate position. The lifting of the unit occurs with the carriage 43 in its stated home position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the platen 41 is in position above the elevator plate 23, the pusher 87 is just rearward (to the left) of opening 15, and pusher 89 is well forward of opening 15 and raised. As shown in FIG. 2, the pusher 85 on the platen 41 is positioned on the forward side of the elevated unit.

Under the action of cam 61, the carriage 43 then moves rearwardly (to the left) and pusher 85 on platen 41 pushes the unit 1 rearwardly over the fixed rearward table member 17 as shown in FIG. 3 to effect folding of extension S3 at the rear of the unit underneath the bottom face 5 of the unit (as illustrated in FIG. 3). Then the carriage 43 moves forwardly and pusher 87 pushes forward the unit 1 back through its intermediate position, over the elevator plate 23 (which remains raised) and onto the fixed forward table member 19 to the sealing position (FIGS. 4, 9 and 11) for the unit.

Bars 95 are moved forward (see FIGS. 4, 8 and 9) to fold portions of the wrapper forward upon the ends of the unit, and bars 97 function to fold portions S6 rearward upon the ends of the unit. The carriage then dwells for a sealing interval, and the spot sealers 101 are raised to spot seal the overlap 21 of the sheet. The platen 41 is held down throughout the rearward and forward movement of the unit and throughout the sealing interval to maintain the grip on the unit and hold it compressed (when it is compressed) until the spot sealers have been withdrawn and the seals have set so that the wrapper constituted by the sheet S is able to hold the compression. Following the sealing operation, platen 41 is raised and the carriage is moved rearwardly to its home position to start a cycle on the next unit to be enwrapped. When the carriage moves forward to push a unit from the FIG. 3 position to the sealing position of FIG. 4, the pusher or ejector 89 is down (see FIGS. 3 and 4) to push forward and eject the previously sealed unit, and when the carriage is returned, the ejector 89 is raised (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

It will be understood that the principles of the invention are applicable for effecting compression of a unit for the purpose of obtaining a tight wrap, as distinguished from the purpose of reduction of height of the unit. It will be further understood that the principles of the invention are applicable for applying a band around a unit, as distinguished from a complete wrapper, and the term wrapping is intended to include banding as well as complete wrapping (i.e., to include wrapping of a band around the unit without covering its ends as well as application of a wrapper large enough to cover its ends).

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for wrapping units to be wrapped comprising fixed rearward and forward table members having. an opening therebetween, an elevator movable from a lowered position below said table members to a raised position generally flush with said table members, said elevator being adapted to move a unit upwardly through said opening with a sheet of wrapping material on top of the unit, said sheet being larger than the top of the unit and having rearward and forward portions extending beyond the unit a sufficient distance for folding of said portions around the rearward and forward sides of the unit and around the bottom of the unit, said portions becoming folded around the rearward and forward sides of the unit with extensions of said portions projecting beyond the bottom of the unit, and means operable with the elevator in its raised position for moving said unit and the sheet first rearwardly over the elevator and over said fixed rearward table member to fold the extension of said rearward portion of the sheet underneath the bottom of the unit and then forwardly back over said elevator and over said fixed forward member to fold the extension of said forward portion of the sheet underneath the bottom of the unit.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 for operation utilizing a sheet as to which said portions extend beyond the unit a sufficient distance for overlapping of said extensions when they are folded on the bottom of the unit, said apparatus having means for securing said extensions together at their overlap on the bottom of the unit. I

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 having a member over the opening engageable by the sheet on top of the unit as the unit is lifted through said opening by the elevator for gripping the sheet, said gripping member being movable rearwardly and forwardly for maintaining the grip as the unit moves forwardly and rearwardly.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the elevator is movable to lift the unit to an intermediate position at the level of said table members, and wherein said moving means acts to slide the unit rearwardly on the rearward table member to a rearward position, then forwardly back over the elevator through said intermediate position of the unit and over said forward table member to a sealing position, said apparatus having means operable through said forward table member on the unit in sealing position for sealing said extensions together at said overlap.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein moving means comprises a carriage movable rearwardly and forwardly above said table members carrying said gripping member.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said gripping member is movable vertically relative to the carriage and carries means operable when the gripping means is in a lowered position to push the unit rearward, the carriage having a pusher rearward of said gripping means for pushing the unit forward.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 further having a pusher carried by the carriage forward of the gripping means for vertical movement relative to the carriage operable when in a lowered position to push a sealed unit forward away from the sealing position as a unit to be sealed is pushed to the sealing position.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 for operation utilizing a sheet having end portions extending laterally outwardly beyond the ends of the unit, said apparatus having means operable upon forward movement of the unit to its sealing position for folding parts of said end portions upon the ends of the unit.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said folding means comprises means for folding parts of rearward end portions of the sheet upon the ends of the unit movable forward as the unit moves forward, and means secured to the forward table member for folding parts of forward end portions of the sheet upon the ends of the unit.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 operable on a compressible unit, wherein said gripping member comprises a platen against which the unit is compressed heightwise as the elevator lifts the unit, said platen being movable rearwardly and forwardly and maintaining the compression on the unit as it is moved rearwardly and forwardly. 

1. Apparatus for wrapping units to be wrapped comprising fixed rearward and forward table members having an opening therebetween, an elevator movable from a lowered position below said table members to a raised position generally flush with said table members, said elevator being adapted to move a unit upwardly through said opening with a sheet of wrapping material on top of the unit, said sheet being larger than the top of the unit and having rearward and forward portions extending beyond the unit a sufficient distance for folding of said portions around the rearward and forward sides of the unit and around the bottom of the unit, said portions becoming folded around the rearward and forward sides of the unit with extensions of said portions projecting beyond the bottom of the unit, and means operable with the elevator in its raised position for moving said unit and the sheet first rearwardly over the elevator and over said fixed rearward table member to fold the extension of said rearward portion of the sheet underneath the bottom of the unit and then forwardly back over said elevator and over said fixed forward member to fold the extension of said forward portion of the sheet underneath the bottom of the unit.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 for operation utilizing a sheet as to which said portions extend beyond the unit a sufficient distance for overlapping of said extensions when they are folded on the bottom of the unit, said apparatus having means for securing said extensions together at their overlap on the bottom of the unit.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 having a member over the opening engageable by the sheet on top of the unit as the unit is lifted through said opening by the elevator for gripping the sheet, said gripping member being movable rearwardly and forwardly for maintaining the grip as the unit moves forwardly and rearwardly.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the elevator is movable to lift the unit to an intermediate position at the level of said table members, and wherein said moving means acts to slide the unit rearwardly on the rearward table member to a rearward position, then forwardly back over the elevator through said intermediate position of the unit and over said forward table member to a sealing position, said apparatus having means operable through said forward table member on the unit in sealing position for sealing said extensions together at said overlap.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein moving means comprises a carriage movable rearwardly and forwardly above said table members carrying said gripping member.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said gripping member is movable vertically relative to the carriage and carries means operable when the gripping means is in a lowered position to push the unit rearward, the carriage having a pusher rearward of said gripping means for pushing the unit forward.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 further having a pusher carried by the carriage forward of the gripping means for vertical movement relative to the carriage operable when in a lowered position to push a sealed unit forward away from the sealing position as a unit to be sealed is pushed to the sealing position.
 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 for operation utilizing a sheet having end portions extending laterally outwardly beyond the ends of the unit, said apparatus having means operable upon forward movement of the unit to its sealing position for folding parts of said end portions upon the ends of the unit.
 9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said folding means comprises means for folding parts of rearward end portions of the sheet upon the ends of the unit movable forward as the unit moves forward, and means secured to the forward table member for folding parts of forward end portions of the sheet upon the ends of the unit.
 10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 operable on a compressible unit, wherein said gripping member comprises a platen against which the unit is compressed heightwise as the elevator lifts the unit, said platen being movable rearwardly and forwardly and maintaining the compression on the unit as it is moved rearwardly and forwardly. 